Robert Marino Presents

I’m a songwriter [New Fusion Publishing-BMI] with a vintage touch who enjoys writing and recording Vocal Jazz, R&B/Soul, & Pop. The songs feature top-flight vocalists and some of the best musicians NYC and Nashville have to offer. The songs are fully produced, recorded live, and are one stop clearance. I think many of my songs would have fit nicely on 60's and 70's AM music radio -like NYC's 77WABC. Songs of "note":

I GOTTA LITTLE CRUSH ON YOU – A “new” jazz standard a la Anita O’Day, Shirley Horn, Julie London ...
2017 Lennon Award & Grand Prize Winner for Jazz – John Lennon Songwriting Contest [JLSC]
2018 First Place Winner in 2 Categories: Jazz … and Love Songs – Austin Songwriters Group [ASG]

COOL HEAT - Smokey 3am Vocal Jazz
2023 Jazz Finalist [JLSC]

NO SHADE OF GRAY — Jazzy Motown a la Dusty Springfield
2013 Lennon Award and Grand Prize Winner for R&B – John Lennon Songwriting Contest

I LOVE YOU MORE — Jazzy Motown
2016 Retro Song Winner - UK Songwriting Contest
Quoting from the contest: "This was the first year for the Retro Category and the entries were very varied and included 60s pop, 80s Disco, 90s punk, Motown and much more. The unanimous judges’ choice for the winning song was “I Love You More” by Robert Marino. Multi-Platinum songwriter Shelly Peiken summed up the judges’ views when she said: “I Love You More” is the winner for me. Retro, yes… but it also feels very original. Charming.” [I’m] Over You (also written by Robert) was one of two songs for joint second position. Other accolades for this song:

*Erik Jarvis of Musicpage wrote: ” … a suave and sophisticated track that doesn’t hide from its genre. The groove is subtle, tight, and syncopated, rooted in Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye. Lead vocals have a pop-jazz vibe like Jamie Cullum meets Norah Jones, spiced up with gorgeous 3 part harmonies.”

*2015 First Place Winner in the Blues/Jazz Category – [ASG]
*2015 Akademia Music Award for best Rock/Soul: “Flawless melodies and a hard-hitting acoustic backline make this Rock/Soul song by Robert Marino an instant classic and sure crowd pleaser.”
*UK’s pop-soul girl group “The Enlights” recording of this song has played on London’s BBC radio. Putting their voices on my track made for a “wow” video: http://youtu.be/dCHs2LDJsDA

I’M OVER YOU — I would love to have heard Roy Orbison sing this one.
Played on an episode of ABC’s primetime TV show “Cupid”. Re-recorded, the song became a part of Hilda Lamas’ soulful sophomore album “Love Me Alone” containing 13 original songs from songwriters around the world — it topped the Roots Music Report Internet Blues Charts for 9 weeks, closing out 2013 at #1!

DON’T — This pop/rock number reminiscent of the 1964 Liverpool sound, has appeared in various TV period pieces internationally. The song also appears in the motion picture “Donovan’s Echo” featuring Danny Glover and Bruce Greenwood.

MIRACLE ‘ROUND THE BEND — A very jazzy 2015 Adult Contemporary Finalist, UK Songwriting Contest

THAT KINDA GIRL — An edgy 2015 R&B Finalist, John Lennon Songwriting Contest

ONE AN’ ONE AN’ ONE — A jazzy 2014 R&B Finalist, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

A COOL KINDA BLUE — Vocal jazz in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, & Peggy Lee. Really nice horn section.

2002 Jazz Finalist, John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Educational background: MA, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Ph.D., Florida Institute of Technology